LIVE streaming: Barcelona-Atletico - Watch ultimate battle on May 17, 2014

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The title race will go down to the wire as Barcelona and Atletico Madrid go head to head in the final game of the season at Nou Camp on Saturday, the 17th of May 2014.

Preview: Barca and Atleti gear up for title show down

Atletico’s inconsistency in recent games has provided Barcelona with a glorious chance of retaining their title and thereby recording their 23rd La Liga title.

Their counterparts on the other hand have not won the coveted crown since the 1995-1996 season and should El Atléti get the better of the Catalans on Saturday they will break the duopoly enjoyed by Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Last time a team other than the two Spanish giants won the title was when Valencia under the tutelage of Rafa Benitez won the league back in 2004. Madrid and Barcelona have since then benefited from a plethora of talent which coupled with their riches allowed them to thoroughly dominate other teams, however as things stand Atletico look defiant to break the hegemony.

And Diego Simeone’s men could have done the unthinkable when they faced Malaga in their last outing. With both Barcelona and Real Madrid also dropping points, a win could have sent Los Colchoneros beyond reach but Bernd Schuster and Malaga had other ideas.

It was the visitors who opened up the scoring when Samuel scored in the 65th minute after a match which was characterized by a dominant display from the home side. The game seemed to be slipping away from Atletico until Belgium international Toby Alderweireld made up for his mistake for the first goal when his header in the 74th minute not just equalized the score but earned Los Indios an important point.

Atletico now need at least a single point from their last game, a defeat on the other hand will put both teams on level points but Barcelona will be awarded the trophy owing to a better head to head record.

The Blaugrana on the other hand have not been on the best of runs either and will be hoping to end what has been a disappointing season with a trophy. The week has been an emotional one for the club with long serving players Carles Puyol and Victor Valdes bidding farewell to the club. Midfield maestro Xavi Hernandez who is another player to have spent his entire playing career at Camp Nou paid homage to both the players and also stressed the importance of the crucial game against Atletico.

"Carles Puyol is an example to us all for his spirit of leadership, and sacrifice. We've been together our whole careers, he's a great person," said Xavi.

"With Valdes as well, the best goalkeeper in Barca history, people don't know him enough, and we are really missing him now. We wish them all the best. They are two great friends.”

"We really believed we had no chance [to win the league], but maybe we gave up too soon. We thought we'd lost the league and these things happen in football, and now it's in our hands. It's a very important title, and we have to be together. It's an historic opportunity. It will be a great final match.''

The 34 year old also had words of praise for Atletico Madrid labeling them as competent opponents but claimed that his team will be up for the task.

"They are the best in defence, they pressurise you, support each other and have different options up front,'' he continued.

"We are still hungry and people should be encouraged. La Liga should be seen as it is, competing until the end. Up against us are a great team."

Barcelona like Atletico have been on a disappointing run themselves. The defending champions have won just two of their last five matches. But their recent form will bear no importance should they emerge victorious during Saturday’s encounter which will hand them the league crown.

Barcelona’s uninspiring form continued last week when they failed to get the better of 14th placed Elche. Whereas the home side rarely ventured forward but resilient defending allowed them to earn the point which guaranteed their survival in Spain’s top tier league. Their goalkeeper Manu in particular produced a stellar performance and did well to parry away a volley from Andres Iniesta and later defied Leo Messi twice once from a free-kick and a second time from close range.

Both Atletico and Barcelona have been very evenly matched this season but Los Colchoneros had the upper hand last time the two sides met in the Champions League. With the first leg ending in a 1-1 draw, Los Rojiblancos picked up a 1-0 victory at the Vicente Calderón Stadium thereby eliminating Barca from the competition. Whereas the reverse fixture played between the two sides back in January ended in stalemate with neither side able to break the deadlock.

Atletico have received positive news on the injury front with talismanic striker Diego Costa likely to feature during Saturday’s encounter. Defender Diego Godin will also be available for selection after serving suspension in the last match against Malaga.

Barcelona on the other hand have a growing injury list and could be without a number of players for Saturday’s title showdown. Neymar (toe) and Jordi Alba (hamstring) have not featured since the Copa final and remain major doubts whereas defender Gerard Pique who picked up a hip injury in the first leg of the Champions League Quarter-Final is also likely to remain on the sidelines. Whereas all three star players took part in fitness training sessions, only Jordi Alba is likely to return to the squad.